A pageant and an evening of live music were part of how Chandler celebrated Juneteenth this year.
A June 14 pageant is where Mara McPhail was crowned Miss Juneteenth Arizona 2024, though first runner-up Alyssa Morrison will fulfill duties of the title while McPhail is away at college this next year.
One night later, several elected officials and the two incoming Miss Juneteenths spoke, along with Miss Juneteenth Arizona 2023 Sascha Reveron, at a Juneteenth event at A.J. Chandler Park.
Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke, Vice Mayor O.D. Harris, Council member Christine Ellis and U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego were among those who spoke briefly about the importance of recognizing Juneteenth.
Musicians Vaughn Willis and Ear Candy performed all types of memorable tunes as dozens of people danced at the June 15 event.
We’d like to invite our readers to submit their civil comments on this topic. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org. Email Jason W. Brooks at jbrooks@iniusa.org.
Jason W. Brooks
Associate Editor
Jason W. Brooks is a News editor for the Daily Independent and the Chandler Independent.
He covers the Chandler area for both yourvalley.net and the monthly print edition while writing for and assisting in the production of the Daily Independent.
Brooks is a well-traveled journalist who has documented life in small American communities in nearly all U.S. time zones.
Born in Washington, D.C. and raised there and in suburban Los Angeles, he has covered community news in California, New Mexico, Arkansas, Iowa, Nebraska and northern Arizona.
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